Good morning! It was, of course, essential that I make a Christmas dress for K, and for the occasion, I pulled out a fabric that I’ve been saving for a long time. It’s a metallic aqua linen, and I knew it would be perfect as a festive frock.
The metallic coating stiffens the fabric,which gives it a taffeta-like texture, and I found that I could finger-press pintucks quite effectively. This was helpful because ironing required a press cloth, and sometimes I would forget and my iron would get sticky with metallic residue. On a side note, I use this as a press cloth, and I really love it. I got the fabric from here many moons ago, and sadly, they no longer carry it.
The pattern is from this great book, but I made some slight changes. If you’ve been around here for awhile, you might recognize this dress pattern as the same one my lovely friend Cherie used for the clothing swap. I want to start by saying that Cherie is a sewing genius because man, I could not get those pintucks even (though we all know this is an ongoing issue for me), and things in general got askew. I had Cherie’s dress in front of me as a reference and I kept marveling at her precise stitches. Mine, not so much.
Anyway, the changes. I wanted to use beads instead of the tabs at the end of the ribbon ties, so I opted for a thinner ribbon. I like how it ups the fancy factor with the beads. I also lengthened the skirt a smidge and I hand-stitched the armhole bindings because I tend to have better control that way. I tried to get K to push her hair back out of the way for a better visual of the dress, but, she was married to the idea of keeping her hair solidly covering the front of the dress.
It’s very…sparkly. K is gaga over it, I’m happy to report, though if I happen to catch a glimpse of the dress out of the corner of my eye, it looks like a mermaid costume. As far as party dresses for little girls go, it has just the right amount of glitz and glam and I declare it a winner. The pockets are my favorite part. Now, let’s see if I can magic some Christmas Eve pajamas within 24 hours…
This is beautiful!!! I have been looking for this type of linen for a while. Now I just got inspired by you and have some ideas of what to make. But for now I can just contemplate K’s dress and admire once again your fantastic work.
Merry Christmas to you and hopefully we get lots of sewing done next year!!!!
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays, Patty! I wish I had a good source for you for this type of linen – it’s definitely a fun fabric to experiment with 🙂
Wow, definitely a winner! You have the most fabulous fabric! The dress is so so gorgeous! Sadly my kids got no new dresses for Christmas – I didn’t want to have to kill myself to finish them, and they’ll have new handmade dresses for Chinese New Year anyway when it comes around in about a month.
Anyhow, merry Christmas! So glad to have discovered your blog this year!
Chinese New Year dresses sound lovely, Fiona! I decided not to make the Christmas Eve pajamas for the same reason (don’t want to kill myself). So happy that you’ve been visiting my little space. May your Christmas be Merry + Bright!
Wow, I love this, it’s absolutely gorgeous a,d looks stunning on your little girl! Happy holidays!
Thank you, Eva Maria! Wishing you a spectacular holiday as well 🙂
You’re becoming a pintuck expert! The dress looks beautiful.
Ah, so far from being an expert, but definitely becoming more comfortable 🙂 Thanks Morgan, and hope you’re feeling 100%
Beautiful!!! that fabric is gorgeous, perfect dress for Christmas. Wishing you and your family Happy Christmas and the best New Year! Big hug.
I’ve been thinking about you, Maria! Hope all is well, and I’m wishing you a wonderful holiday season filled with everything good. xo.
This is so pretty! I love those sweet tucks.
Thanks, Bernadette! Pintucks always make things better, no?
Love the dress, esp. how you have closed the back. Happy holidays!
I don’t think my photos captured it, but the ribbon I used is gorgeous. Happy Holidays to you!
Merry christmas to you and your family! I love your little aqua christmas princess! Finding your blog was a wonderful gift to me this year! Until next year!!!
Looking forward to catching up in 2014, Ute!
beautiful! pintucks look good from here. grayline linen in nyc has a ton of metallic linen in the store, but i hear their site and internet customer service leave something to be desired. http://graylinelinen.com
Ooh, someone else had recommended Grayline to me a while ago – good to know!
It is gorgeous! I love metallic linen and that aqua color is especially pretty. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
I hope your Christmas was filled to the gills with happy moments big and small, Liza Jane!
Linen for you, and sparkly for K – what a win-win dress! Looks gorgeous, Sanae – and so fun to see that pattern sewn up in a very different look than the one Robin made last spring. I have that book . . . clearly this dress must be made! Once again, thanks for the inspiration!
It’s a dress that’s sure to be a hit with Miss L, Lucinda!
She looks like a very happy, very beautiful mermaid. 🙂 Well done!
Thank you, Shelley! She combined the dress with a white skirt and sparkly black cardigan and declared it holiday-worthy. 🙂
Great dress, I think I want one in my size! K is a lucky girl.
Thanks, Tracy! Definitely a fun party dress fit for all ages!
Beautiful fabric and dress!